HORIZON-WIDERA grant on 3D genome (de)regulation awarded to the Laboratory of Functional and Structural Genomics

27 07 2026

HORIZON-WIDERA twinning projects aim to enhance networking activities between research institutions of the Widening countries acting as co-ordinators, and top-class leading counterparts at European Union level, by linking at least two research institutions from two different Member States or Associated Countries. Therefore, building on the huge potential of networking for excellence through knowledge transfer and exchange of best practices.

In the latest twinning call a project entitled “SERENITY twinning for excellence in 3D genome (de)regulation in inflammation and autoimmunity” has been awarded funding. SERENITY aims to strengthen the scientific excellence and the innovation capacity of the Department of Biology of the University of Crete, which is the Coordinator, in the field of 3D genome regulation in immune-mediated inflammation and autoimmunity. The project builds on the coordinator’s strong expertise in chromatin regulation, T-cell immunology and advanced genomics, while addressing key weaknesses that currently limit full European competitiveness, notably advanced Hi-C modelling, single-cell chromatin analysis, functional regulatory-genomics interpretation and higher-order chromatin organization.

SERENITY brings together four complementary partners: the University of Warsaw (Laboratory of Functional and Structural Genomics of Dariusz Plewczyński) for computational 3D genome analysis and modelling, IEO Milan for enhancer biology, transcriptional control and research-management mentoring, CNRS-IGMM Montpellier for higher-order chromatin organization and nuclear-body-associated approaches and GENODIS for non-academic, translational and exploitation-oriented perspective. Through scientific twinning, staff exchanges, expert visits, workshops, summer schools, research-management strengthening and a great research component, the project aims to deliver measurable institutional changes in excellence, mobility, staff development, reputation, future funding readiness and sustainability.

Scientifically, SERENITY is centered on a unique disease-relevant model system in which SATB1 deficiency causes severe autoimmunity, while combined SATB1/BACH1 deficiency rescues the phenotype. By integrating chromatin conformation analysis, 3D modelling, enhancer-focused interpretation and higher-order nuclear organization, SERENITY will investigate how genome architecture contributes to pathogenic versus protective immune states and to sex-biased autoimmunity. In doing so, the project will strengthen the international visibility, attractiveness and long-term competitiveness of the University of Warsaw and University of Crete within the European Research Area.